Chapter 478: Displeasure

When Li Mochen first arrived at the venue of the Violet Lily Charity Ball, he was given the cold shoulder. Anthony Braden, who walked in with him, was immediately surrounded by numerous political and business elites, while few people spoke to Li Mochen.

He could tell that many of them recognized him but disdained to engage with him.

"No help for it. To maintain their mystique, the Freemasons still cling to centuries-old conservative practices. They won't reveal the theme and purpose of the meeting until the charity event begins. And many still think that the reason BOSS became the first heir of the Wiltonshtan family is because of your grandfather Consueli's unwavering support. Few know the details of that battle. Also, they look down on your identity as a fighter."

Eliza shrugged helplessly: "But no need to care. These are just small fry with poor information. The truly important figures haven't arrived yet. We've been dragged into this by that guy Anthony—"

She cast a resentful glance at Anthony's back: "He came this early just to hunt for women!"

Actually, even without Eliza's explanation, Li Mochen could gauge the situation from the conversations around him. The hearing of a pure-blood Titan allowed their words to constantly flood into his ears.

"—His mother should be considered that Wiltonshtan's illegitimate daughter, right? The Benedict family has really had bad luck."

"Not exactly illegitimate; she was born after marriage. But it's almost the same. That Consueli, he really went and did it."

"Haha, that guy—to put it nicely, he's a fighting star; to put it bluntly, a gladiator. What's the difference between him and those ancient slave gladiators?"

"But I heard he's very good at making money, with a net worth of tens of billions of gold shields."

"No matter how much money he makes, he's still a jackass."

"I think the Wiltonshtan family affairs are still going to be messy. Philip I won't let Consueli act so recklessly, and the Benedict family won't let it go. His three children aren't easy to manipulate either. Look how smug he is—"

After just a few sentences, Li Mochen decisively shut off most of his hearing, and then he saw his upcoming opponent, Felton Williams.

The latter was also being ignored, left alone in a corner. But after spotting Li Mochen, he walked straight over.

"It seems the title of Crown Prince of the Wiltonshtan family hasn't made you more popular."

His laughter was full of sarcasm: "A month ago, I heard you'd become the first heir of the Wiltonshtans. I thought you were something special then. But now it seems that's all there is to it. In true high society, you're still a loser."

"Get lost!"

Li Mochen didn't have the grace to take insults with a smile, but before he could speak, Eliza snapped, glaring coldly at Felton Williams: "Know your place. Do you want me to have someone throw you out?"

Williams's face turned pale and then red. He glared at Eliza with resentment, then turned to Li Mochen: "Just wait! On the ring the day after tomorrow, I'll repay the humiliation your assistant has given me. I'll shatter everything you have now and make you a laughingstock. Oh, and—"

He smiled again, his eyes unreadable: "Your ancestor, that Philip I, came to see me not long ago. He taught me some methods to deal with your family's dragon vein. I'll use them in the match the day after tomorrow."

Li Mochen watched him leave, then turned to Eliza: "Eliza, you've placed bets, right?"

"Of course! I borrowed 20 IDs, but I haven't placed the bets yet. Though the amount is small, it's still some income—"

Eliza replied with a smile: "Anyone who knows your strength won't miss this opportunity, except for people like Anthony."

"Then let me remind you: absolutely don't bet on a hundred rounds."

Li Mochen's lips curled slightly, his smile somewhat cold: "It probably won't reach that number. The fight will be over within three rounds at most."

"Understood!"

A hint of joy flickered in Eliza's eyes: "I can bet on you winning within three rounds. Some bookmakers offer such odds, up to 120 times. But is that okay? Your sponsors and the broadcasting stations will freak out, BOSS."

"It's also Mr. Peyton's idea. He wanted me to destroy that guy, but I never agreed. But this guy himself—"

Li Mochen paused mid-sentence, his peripheral vision catching a beautiful young woman in a light white evening gown walking in from the entrance.

"Angela—"

Li Mochen was surprised, wondering why Angela was also in Los Angeles. As he wondered, the girl locked eyes with him and rushed straight over.

But she was accompanied by two young men.

"Ladia, see, I have a boyfriend. You should know him."

Angela directly grabbed Li Mochen's arm: "I don't want to talk to you. Stay away from me, okay?"

One of the two young men glared darkly at Li Mochen: "I know you, lucky Andre, heir to the Wiltonshtan family. Listen to me, friend: this is an internal affair of the Medici family. If you don't want to stir up trouble you can't handle, or bring disaster to your family, you'd better stay away from Angela! For the sake of your Hohenstaufen bloodline, this is my final warning."

Li Mochen couldn't help but smile: "No need to warn me, sir. If you can bring disaster to me, then go ahead."

Such threats, not counting the Primordial Dome, he had already experienced several times in this world.

The young man's eyes flared with anger, but the other beside him frowned: "You're losing your dignity, Ladia. Even if he's the heir of a second-rate family, you don't need to say so much. Many people are watching us here; it's not good. Also, I think it stinks here—the smell of country folk—"

Ladia de' Medici was taken aback, then said helplessly: "OK, I'll listen to you."

He shot Li Mochen one last murderous glare before turning away with a stiff face, along with the other man.

"That's Ladia, my cousin, so to speak. The other is Joseph Quixote, a member of the Quixote family, ranked twenty-sixth in line of succession."

Angela explained to Li Mochen with great helplessness: "Small-time characters from two supreme families. They think they're nothing, yet they turn their noses up at everyone."

Li Mochen asked curiously: "Why are you in Los Angeles? No classes?"

Angela and the others' team battle would take place five days later, after the individual competition ended.